STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1531

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    JUD. COM. NO. 35

 

 

 

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2021

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Judiciary, to which was referred Judiciary Communication No. 35, submitting for study and consideration the appointment of: 

 

District Family Court of the Third Circuit

 

J.C. No. 35

JEFFREY W. NG,

for a term to expire in 6 years,

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     Your Committee reviewed the personal history, resume, and statement submitted by Jeffrey W. Ng for appointment to the District Family Court of the Third Circuit, State of Hawaii.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the appointment of Jeffrey W. Ng from the State Public Defender, Big Island Junior Golf Association, the Honorable Barbara T. Takase-retired, the Honorable Derrick H.M. Chan-retired, the Honorable Michael A. Town-retired, and forty-six individuals.  Your Committee received comments on the appointment of Jeffrey W. Ng from the Hawaii State Bar Association.

 

     The Hawaii State Bar Association Board of Directors found the appointee to be qualified for the position of District Family Court Judge of the Third Circuit based on established criteria for determining the qualifications of judicial appointments generally using the American Bar Association Guidelines for Reviewing Qualifications of Candidates for State Judicial Office.  Specifically, the Board uses the following criteria in its deliberations:  integrity and diligence, legal knowledge and ability, professional experience, judicial temperament, financial responsibility, public service, health, and ability to perform the responsibilities and duties required of the position for which the applicant has been appointed.  The Board's rating system includes the categories of "qualified" and "not qualified".

 

     Mr. Ng received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from the University of Michigan.  He later received his Doctor of Jurisprudence from the William S. Richardson School of Law, after which he served as a law clerk for the Honorable Derrick H.M. Chan on the First Circuit Court of the State of Hawaii.

 

     Since 2012, Mr. Ng has worked as Supervising Attorney for the Hilo Office in the Office of the Public Defender.  Prior to taking that position, he served as a deputy public defender in the Office of the Public Defender in Honolulu since 2003.  His current duties primarily include defending clients in bench and jury trials; researching, drafting, and arguing substantive motions; and providing advice and counsel to clients.  In his practice, he has handled complex cases involving mental health and emotional disturbance issues and novel questions of court procedure, among other issues.

 

     Mr. Ng has been involved in the legal community throughout his career, having served as both President and Vice-President of the Hawaii County Bar Association.  He is an apprentice mediator at Ku‘ikahi Mediation Center, and has been a member of the Hawai‘i Access to Justice Foundation's Committee on Initiatives to Enhance Civil Justice.  In addition, he has served as an assistant baseball coach in the Andrews Athletic Association and Chairperson of the Hawaii County Bar Association's Annual Scholarship Golf Tournament.

 

     Testimony submitted in support of Mr. Ng's appointment commend his professionalism, integrity, and legal knowledge.  During his tenure at the Office of the Public Defender, he has demonstrated a capacity to treat each individual with dignity, respect, and compassion.  Numerous testifiers praised his deep commitment to ensuring fair and equitable access to justice for his clients, regardless of their background or status.

 

     Your Committee finds that, based on the testimony submitted on his behalf, responses to questions asked by the members of your Committee, and your Committee's review of information about him and his qualifications, Jeffrey W. Ng has the experience, temperament, and other competencies to be a District Family Court Judge of the Third Circuit, and he has the legal expertise, integrity, and demeanor to fully and faithfully discharge the duties associated with that judicial office.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary that is attached to this report, your Committee, after full consideration of the background, experience, and qualifications of the appointee, has found the appointee to be qualified for the position to which appointed and recommends that the Senate consent to the appointment.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary,

 

 

 

____________________________

KARL RHOADS, Chair